ex machina

the eric update - day 311: guys and dolls.

it's funny how easily one can slip into the easy habit of subconsciously reinforcing gender stereotypes at a very early age, especially when it comes to toys. even though i'm relatively cognizant that savvy marketing is behind the perceived difference between a barbie doll and, say, g.i. joe, i'll admit that i had to pause when kris came home and pulled a doll out of a bag from a recent shopping trip. it's certainly not that i'm against boys playing with dolls; in fact, it's fascinating to me that my first, immediate reaction was surprise that she hadn't picked him up a dump truck precisely because i didn't really think i had any preconceived notions about what makes an appropriate toy for a boy. in theory, i didn't care, but there it was, the surprised reaction, proving that maybe i did. just a little at least.

of course, odin doesn't care one wit and quite likes his new doll. it looks a little like him ( and is a bit bigger than he himself was when he was born ) and he likes playing with the doll's face when he's not using its hands to sooth his teething pain.

5 Comments:

I quite like the doll. Adorable little outfit :) I personally think it's very good. Eventually, it will help teach him to be a good father. Some day down the road, you'll walk past his room, and you'll hear him say, "Baby, Smile for Odin" - as you stop and look, you'll see him holding his toy camera, pretending to take a picture ;)

Odin is adorable. For you, how about a little stress release? Would love to know if these Tranquility Lounge samples http://www.realityspeaks.com/wildhome.html help you relax. Might even help Odin sleep!

Now I have to comment again on the doll... I love the little outfit so much, and it seems to fit the doll pretty good. Did the set come together? Can you tell me the name of the doll? I dare say that my son's mouse & pony are looking a bit raggid these days. thanks :)

katra: "Now I have to comment again on the doll... I love the little outfit so much, and it seems to fit the doll pretty good. Did the set come together? Can you tell me the name of the doll? I dare say that my son's mouse & pony are looking a bit raggid these days. thanks :)"

it's a "tidoo" doll by corelle ( amusingly, the corelle website states, "Corolle Dolls appeal to all a little girl’s senses..." ). the tidoo line is "bath safe" ( it floats! ) and you can choose from a plethora of clothing and cap options :-)

[ rhetoric ]

“"it is hard to be brave," said piglet, sniffing slightly, "when you're only a Very Small Animal." rabbit, who had begun to write very busily, looked up and said: "it is because you are a very small animal that you will be Useful in the adventure before us."”

if you're new, you can browse the archives to catch up. and don't forget to watch a few movies that i made while we were in the neonatal intensive care unit. or if you want the abridged version and you can find a copy, you can read about his adventures in the november 2005 issue of parents magazine.